Chapter 90 BLOOMING SHOCK
Godiva POV
My face gradually turned pale when I sighted Lis standing beside Jerald with arms locked.
“Where’s Ben in all this?” Dina asked anxiously, looking in their direction.
“I’m right here,” Ben whispered into our ears, making both of us jump.
“Jeez!” Dina exclaimed in panic, pressing her palms against her chest.
“It’s not even funny,” she thundered at Ben, who was caught in the moment laughing.
“Hey Diva,” Ben waved at me with a smile.
“Hello,” I replied coldly, looking away.
“Don’t mind the situation there, I needed to sneak over to tell you what’s going on.” He glanced in Jerald’s direction as if avoiding someone before continuing, “I’m sure you got our message earlier on. Dad stopped us from coming. Coincidentally, Lis cunningly came over this morning insisting we dropped her off at the competition, so Dad let us out on the condition of being with Lis all through. Jerald had to agree to his terms because he really needed to see you, and I needed to see my girl. Moreover, we sent texts,” Ben explained, trying to dork.
“But at least he shouldn’t lock arms with her, what if Mama sees him?” I said, letting out a smile of relief.
“Mama is here?” Ben asked in shock.
“Yes, she is,” Dina responded, finally hugging Ben.
“Don’t worry, she’ll only be in that position until the exam starts, she won’t even catch a glimpse of us after the competition,” Ben assured us with a mischievous smile.
“Here’s me rooting for you two,” he added, kissing Dina on the lips and blowing me a kiss on behalf of Jerald before turning to leave.
“I hope Mama doesn’t go through the text,” I muttered, smiling after Ben left.
“Why don’t you look excited even after meeting Ben?” I asked Dina as we walked through the pathway leading to the examination hall.
“You may not have noticed since you weren’t looking, but Ben’s eyes seemed swollen, or should I say bruised,” Dina replied grumpily.
“I hope their Dad didn’t abuse them,” I said, taking a deep breath.
“Whatever, we’ll find out after the exam,” Dina sighed, forcing a light smile.
“Exactly, so let’s focus and write well,” I said, patting Dina on the shoulder as we entered the hall.
Before we were assigned our seats, Dina and I decided to hold hands and pray immediately we settled in the examination hall because we wouldn’t be allowed to speak to each other through the examination.
For that level, everyone was to write as an individual, we would only pair up if we passed that stage to the state stage. If one person won and the other lost, the winner would go for the final stage as an individual.
“You better do well cause we’ll need each other for the final round,” Dina threatened, pointing at me and adjusting her sitting as Poppo stepped in.
The competition started in earnest at exactly 8:00am. We were given a hundred questions to solve in three hours.
I silently prayed before attempting any of the questions before me. I timed myself to make sure I wasn’t behind on time. I finally finished solving my problems thirty minutes before the three hours elapsed, but as culture demanded, I carefully revised my work before submitting on the computer.
“This smells like freedom,” I said to myself, heaving a sigh of relief as I stepped out.
“My girl!” Dina screamed excitedly, throwing herself on me the second she sighted me.
“Congratulations mi lady,” Jerald’s voice came from behind as he carried me in his arms and spun me around.
“Isn’t it too early for congratulations?” I asked Jerald, laughing as he dropped me down.
“It’s never too early for congratulations because I believe in you,” Jerald murmured, kissing me affectionately.
“Jerald...” I managed to call out, taking my lips away. My eyes widened as I looked around. “Mama is here,” I finished, laughing nervously.
“I know, I already met with her somewhere there,” Jerald replied, pointing in the direction we left them earlier on.
“And you’re doing this?” I asked in disbelief.
“Of course,” he returned confidently, turning to look for Ben. That was when I noticed a fresh scar on the side of his face.
“Who is trying to ruin my Bling’s handsome face?” I queried, my countenance changing immediately.
“It’s nothing, I’m used to it,” Jerald whispered, I guess trying to make me feel better, because pain was something no one could ever get used to.
We left where we were after Dina and Ben returned from wherever they went.
“Di, you were just here a while back, when and how did you slip away without me noticing?” I asked Dina as we approached where the mothers sat waiting for us.
“How would you have possibly noticed when you were caught up with Jerald?” Dina retorted sarcastically, laughing.
“My babies.”
“You both looked so pretty writing the exam,” Mama and Mrs Job chorused simultaneously, hugging us together.
The four of us stayed in the hug for a short while until Jerald playfully joined in, and Mama suddenly took herself out of the hug circle.
“Give us a second,” Jerald announced, taking Ben’s hand as they walked a certain direction towards the exit.
“Where are they going?” Mama asked curiously.
“No idea,” Dina responded, taking a seat beside Mama. “So this is the television you watched us through?” she asked, staring at the screen.
“Yes baby,” Mama replied, letting her hand move freely on Dina’s face.
“Wow... wow... wow...” Dina exclaimed, looking in the direction Jerald and Ben had followed.
Turning back rapidly, I was mused at the sight of Ben and Jerald approaching us with very beautiful bouquets of flowers.